Whitstable RNLI assist Jet-Skiers

Launching at 1.05pm the Atlantic 85 lifeboat (Relief B-Class Martin Frederick Whitehouse) was ‘on scene’ about 10-minutes later and the crew located the casualty craft close to the beach West of The Sportsman public house with the two occupants standing in the shallow water alongside.

The jet ski with the two occupants onboard was then taken under tow and landed ashore on the beach at the RNLI boathouse where the Herne Bay Mobile Coastguard Rescue Team were also waiting.

This was the 7^th call of the year for the volunteer crews at Whitstable RNLI. Weather conditions at the time of the incident were good visibility and South-Westerly force 3 winds.

Whitstable’s own Atlantic 85 lifeboat is still away undergoing a refit.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.